• Added new option to describe common Mac document types.
• Added check and options for excessively long file and folder pathnames.
• Fixed bug that skipped resource info in files in subordinate folders.
Changes in rev. 1.3:
• Added new option to include file pathname in the description.
• Enhanced the name compression routine to not throw out any more characters than needed to reduce the filename to 12 characters.
• Fixed a bug that caused a long version string to overwrite other fields.
• Now checks for 'Disk Full' and other errors when building file list.
Changes in rev. 1.2:
• Added new option to skip subordinate folders.
• Added additional resource comment checking.
• Defaulted Desktop and resourse options to on.
Changes in rev. 1.1:
• Added new option to use comments from version resources.
• Added new option to allow disabling the use of the Desktop file.
• Added help screen and default settings.
BACKGROUND:
RRH/SS file list builder is a shareware program written by David A. Down. It was written to simplify adding the thousands of files on a CD ROM disk to the Mac BBS that I support. It also works well for other smaller disks too. The primary purpose is to automate the building of RRH/SS file lists while still providing as much information about each file as practical. All the visible files in the selected folder (and any folders inside it) will be added to the file list.
RRH/SS file lists are limited to filenames of 12 characters or less, so longer names have to be compressed. The first step is to remove any leading or trailing spaces and any non-printable or extented characters. Next, if there is a ".SIT" extension, it will also be removed. If the name is still too long, any non-alpha characters will be removed, and if still too long, vowels will be removed (except for a leading vowel). Finally, as a last resort, the name will be truncated to 12 characters. This process will usually produce unique filenames that are still meaningful.
By default, the uploader will be listed as "Sysop" and the clearance level will be zero, but the default for both of these can be changed. The file version can be automatically set if the file has a version resource. The description for the file will automatically start with the full file name followed by the file type and creator. Subsequent lines will optionally be built from the Finder Desktop and/or resource comments.
OPERATION:
Start RRH/SS FLB by opening the application. If you haven't registered your copy of the program, a shareware notice will be displayed. If you agree to the shareware policy, the main dialog will appear. The following choices are then available:
Buttons:
New file: A save-file dialog will appear to create a new file list. This will be followed by a select-folder dialog.
Add to file: An open-file dialog will appear to select an existing file list to append to. This will be followed by a select-folder dialog.
Defaults: A dialog will appear to allow the Uploader name and clearance level to be changed for all subsequent files added.
Help: Help dialogs will be displayed summarizing the operations.
Quit: RRH FLB will terminate.
Options:
Use Desktop comments: If selected, the Finder's Desktop file will be searched for comments from each file's Get Info window. On larger disks, opening the Desktop may take a while. This will also slow down file processing slightly, but it is worthwhile if file comments are availble. Remember that all Desktop comments are lost if the Desktop is rebuilt.
Use resouce comments: If selected, each file will be checked for a resource fork. If it has one, the resource fork will be checked for a 'vers' resource. If found, it will be used to supply both version and description information. Any text found in the creator resource will be used, as well as CE Info comments created by the Disktop desk accessory.
Skip subordinate folders: If selected, only the files in the current folder will be included. By default, all files in any folder in the current folder (or subordinate folders) will also be included.
FIle pathname in description: If selected, the full file pathname will be included as the second line of the file desription.
File type description: If selected, for Mac documents whose file type is recognized, a brief description of the file type is included after the type/creator codes. (see 2nd note below for expanding the list).
After a new or existing file list is selected, a select-folder dialog will appear to choose the folder to be processed. BE SURE TO OPEN THE DESIRED FOLDER BEFORE PRESSING THE SELECT BUTTON. If a file is hilighted (not a folder) when the OPEN button is pressed, it will have the same effect as the SELECT button. While processing the selected folder, a sequence number, the name of the file, and the file pathname will be displayed. If you want to stop the processing early, hold down the Command key and press the period(.) key. After the folder is processed, the select-folder dialog will reappear to allow additional folders to be added to the CURRENT file list. If the current file list is complete, press the STOP button. You will then be returned to the main dialog.
Note #1: The format of the file list records limits the total file pathname to 80 bytes or less. A file pathname that exceeds this CANNOT be used. If a folder or file path is too long, a warning message will be given with the option skipping the current folder or stopping the build.
Note #2: File types that are recognized are stored in a TYPE resource. This list can be edited with ResEdit to include new types by using the TMPL ResEdit template included in the program. Be sure to keep the list in sorted order by file type or the lookup will malfunction. ALWAYS EDIT A COPY.
SHAREWARE LIMITATIONS:
This program is being distributed as shareware in the hopes that it will be useful and worth sending me a few dollars. If you don't register the program you will be telling me not to bother with making programs like this available in the future. When you register, you can also tell me what new features you would like added in the next revision.
As an incentive for honesty, you will be able to try out all the features before you register your copy of this program, but you will be limited to building file lists of 20 files or less. After you register it, I will tell you how to unlock it so that you will be able to build file lists of unlimited length. If you decide to keep RRH FLB after trying it out, you are obligated to register your copy by sending $12 to:
MDG Software
2757 S. 134th E. Ave.
Tulsa, OK 74134
Note: Register now before the price goes up. The next major revision will include StuffIt content lists, but the registration fee will increase also. Those that register now will get the new revision at the current price!
